It was a day of busy skies and a rare bird. The first half
of today consisted of little breeze and cloudy atmosphere. Over 1,400 Bobolinks
sheared through the sky, many of them in flocks of 50 or more. Their
high-pitched “bink” call notes filled the air. Bursts of intermittent
shorebirds pushed through gray skies laced in pink-trimmed edges throughout the
early morning. One lone Dickcissel flew by too. The variety of non-raptors
started the day off on an exciting note. Before noon a gorgeous female
Peregrine Falcon darted through the air, approaching the western proximity of
the hawkwatching platform. Little did we know that gusty northwest winds would
force a special burst of migrants throughout the afternoon hours.
Broken streams of Osprey plowed through during the latter
portions of the day. Some of them were migrating high up and some of them were
quite low. Some of them were along the ocean and some of them were inland. One
thing was certain, their flight was direct and they were all headed in the same
direction…
Good
continuous study of Osprey offered memorable times for everyone on the
platform. The most unique highlight of the day was a lone juvenile Mississippi
Kite that flew straight overhead. The sleek and slender wings contrasted
beautifully with its long sharply-cornered tail. It was incredible to see this
rarity circle over us, then casually meander westward over the parking lot. You
never know what birds will show up at the hawkwatch! The next two days look
great for fun flights of migrating raptors. See you at the platform.
-Erik
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| Mississippi Kite! |
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| Peregrine Falcon |
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| Pectoral Sandpipers (far left and far right) with one Stilt Sandpiper (middle) |
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